A Day on Inchcailloch – Loch Lomond’s Island Escape
Inchcailloch, the wonderful Loch Lomond island is a short ferry ride from Balmaha, where you can connect with nature. You may not have been for years, or ever, but we highly recommend a trip to this small but beautiful island.
There’s something about the word “island” that captures the imagination. It suggests getting away, slowing down, and stepping somewhere more magical than everyday life. And that’s precisely what you’ll find on Inchcailloch, the island described as the jewel in the crown of Loch Lomond.
Here are some pictures from a visit earlier this summer, but just to make you aware, the crossings from Balmaha Boatyard depend on loch levels. If, like last year, they are too high, that presents a problem, as does a lack of rain and lower levels. So, it is advisable to check before coming.
The wooden boat Margaret takes passengers on the hour and a half, for £10 per adult. You’ll need to tell them when you plan to return, and we suggest at least 2.5 hours to have a good look around.
The crossing across the bay is only a few minutes, and as soon as you set foot on the island, you will feel its magical status.
Inchcailloch means “Isle of the Old Woman” or “Isle of the Cowled Woman”, named after St Kentigerna, an Irish missionary said to have settled here in the 8th century. The island has been a place of worship for centuries, and you can still visit the ruins of the medieval church of St Kentigerna, along with its ancient burial ground.
Look carefully at the gravestones, and you’ll spot familiar Highland surnames such as MacGregor. Rob Roy MacGregor’s family members are believed to be buried here. The island’s sheltered location made it an essential place for local communities, not just for worship but also for farming and woodland management.
Inchcailloch is crisscrossed by well-maintained footpaths, offering two main circular trails. The shorter Low Path (1 mile) leads you gently through the woods to the burial ground and picnic area at Port Bawn, while Summit Trail takes you to the island’s highest point. It’s a bit of a climb (1 mile), but well worth it for the stunning panoramic views across the loch with a good view of the islands and onto Ben Lomond. From the summit, you can also spot Conic Hill and see the evidence of the line of the Highland Boundary Fault, which separates the Lowlands from the Highlands.
The island, part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, is home to a rich variety of birdlife, including woodpeckers, warblers, and buzzards. In spring and early summer, the woodland floor is a carpet of bluebells, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of deer grazing in the undergrowth.
The best place to stop for a break is Port Bawn, a sheltered bay with picnic tables and a composting toilet. It’s a great spot to relax, take in the view, or have lunch before heading back along the Low Path or catching the boat to Balmaha.
Inchcailloch also offers a small, rustic campsite near Port Bawn, managed by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. It’s a basic site with space for just a few tents, providing a wild camping experience with the added security of a designated area and toilet facilities. Booking is essential.
Dogs are welcome on the island but should be kept on a lead to protect wildlife.
More guides about Loch Lomond and the Trossachs at seelochlomond.co.uk
